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Entries with the tag: arturs irbe

Former Capitals goalie coach Arturs Irbe had a few surprising things to say about his parting ways with the team. In an interview with a Latvian website sportacentrs.com, Irbe said that he wanted an opportunity for career growth which his former position didn’t provide.

“Coaching goalies is very interesting but I have passed this level already,” said Irbe. “Two years of this kind of work was enough and I don’t see myself in this role anymore, even though I have offers right now, including long-term ones. I want to grow professionally, move forward, earn more. Washington, after all, is quite an expensive city. So I had measured all the pros and cons of working for the Capitals and decided it would be better for me in Latvia.”

“There were many positives in working for Washington,” Irbe added. “But If I continued to coach goalies there, sooner or later it would have turned into a routine. Plus, there were no opportunities for career growth at all.”

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have hired Arturs Irbe as the organization’s goaltending coach, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Irbe replaces Dave Prior, who recently resigned after 12 years with the club to spend more time with his family.

Irbe, 42, is a native of Riga, Latvia, and served as the goaltending coach for his hometown Dinamo Riga last season in the Kontinental Hockey League. He has also worked with the Latvian national team, which he represented in the 2002 and 2006 Olympics. Irbe is also a former teammate of Capitals’ assistant coach Dean Evason, as both players were with the San Jose Sharks from 1991-93.